Your child's walking timeline

Here are the steps your child will take on the path to becoming an adept walker. Learning to walk involves much more than footwork!

We've also given typical ages, but keep in mind that this is just a rough guideline. Some kids walk as early as 8 months, others as late as 17 months. There's a wide range of what's considered normal. If you're ever concerned about your child's progress, check with her doctor.

Baby

Birth to 2 months

Walking reflex. If held in a standing position on a hard surface, your newborn will move his legs as if he's walking. The reflex disappears around 6 weeks of age.

3 to 4 months

Does mini-pushups, which consist of lying on her tummy and raising her head and chest off the ground, using her arms for support. This builds upper body muscles crucial for walking.

5 months

Bounces up and down when held in a standing position. This movement helps your baby build leg strength.

Quick tip: Remember to childproof your home before your baby becomes mobile – which is right around the corner

6 to 8 months

Learns to sit. Sitting on his own develops your child's neck strength, head control, balance, and coordination – all important skills for walking. Most babies also learn to crawl between the ages of 6 and 10 months, although some skip it altogether and move straight to walking.

8 months

Can support herself in a standing position while holding on to something. A couple of weeks later, your baby will be cruising, or taking sliding steps while holding onto something for support.

9 to 10 months

Pulls himself up to a standing position with the aid of a sturdy object, such as a sofa or table leg. Figures out how to do deep knee bends in order to sit after standing.

11 months

Your baby can stand unsupported – for a few seconds – and may also be able to walk while holding hands.

Toddler

11 to 14 months

First steps! At 13 months, 3 out of 4 children are walking, though awkwardly. (By the way, those outstretched arms of her "Frankenstein" walk help keep her balanced.) Not long after that, your toddler learns to stoop down and stand back up again.

14 to 15 months

Your child may enjoy push-and-pull toys, and he may even be able to walk backward.

Red flag: If your child isn't toddling by 14 or 15 months, bring it up with his doctor. This is still within the normal range of development, but now's a good time to check for anything that may be delaying the milestone.

16 months

With help, your toddler can walk up and down the stairs.

18 months

Dances to music.

19 to 24 months

May increase her speed to a run. Enjoys carrying something in her hands while walking. Toward her second birthday, learns to jump from a low step to the floor.

Preschooler

25 to 30 months

Can motor up (but not down) the stairs alone. Comfortable with running. Is up for a game of tag or Ring-Around-the-Rosy.

31 to 36 months

Can now jump on the ground, feet together, and zip left and right. (Dribbling a ball will come later.)

4 years

Is learning to balance – and hop – on one foot. He probably prefers one foot over the other.

Big Kid

5 years

Has mastered earlier skills and can now do it all – walk, run, hop, skip, and jump.

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